What is this beautiful blue/purple flower plant?
by
Annadee
+24
I planted this in my garden last year. It grew to about 6 feet tall, covered with blue/purple flowers. 2 plants, each plant had 3-4 "stalks" on each plant and flowered thru the summer into October (South Carolina). Thanks for your help!
my hummingbirds loved this tall flower. It grew to be 3 times this dense by end of summer.
24 answers
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Looks like my Mexican Petunia.
Meredith Black
on Mar 24, 2014
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I agree with Meredith Black!
Gena Crow
on Mar 24, 2014
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Yes, it is a Mexican Petunia.
Onie Klugh
on Mar 24, 2014
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Mexican Petunia.
Linda Hopper
on Mar 24, 2014
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Thank you so much.... the hummingbirds went wild for these. thanks for taking time to answer. Anna
Annadee
on Mar 24, 2014
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Mexican Petunia
Melissa Martin
on Mar 24, 2014
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Ruella...the tall form...looks great around mailboxes.
Karen McLendon
on Mar 26, 2014
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I thought I'd like some, but after listening to this I'm having some second thoughts... http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/380
Donna Shipley
on Mar 26, 2014
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Mexican Petunia. I LOVE it and have this everywhere! It is a great filler, and yes, it does spread, but all the better for sharing!!!!
Louann Crum
on Mar 26, 2014
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@Donna Shipley ....Don't let the article scare you off. It is great. I have had it in my gardens for years and have not issues with it. It grows in almost any condition and it is very "no worry". Try it in a small area and it you see "babies" just pull them up and share them with a friend.
Louann Crum
on Mar 26, 2014
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Maybe try it in a large pot...I have some like that. Started with a one plant and now I have a whole pot full. The hummers and butterflies bot love it. Good Luck!!
Louann Crum
on Mar 26, 2014
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It's a love/hate relationship with Mexican Petunia. LOL If watered a lot it will grow tall. If not or it is in a small pot it will remain rather short. It does spread by roots but it also "throws" it's seeds when the seed pods get wet! I can't resist spraying them down when the seed pods are dry. As deaf as I am...I can hear them popping open so they can throw those seed! I have one flowerbed that I "clean to get rid of Mexican Petunias" every Spring. By Fall my flowerbed is FULL of beautiful Mexican Petunias and I love it! Oh well...
Linda Hopper
on Mar 26, 2014
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love them because of the hummingbird visits... they can be invasive in Florida... but they withstand the heat, humidity and then the drought... so....... they stay
Donna Hehir
on Mar 26, 2014
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Wondering it I could grow it in MN zone 4. If hummers like it I would love it!
Kim 'Kiewatt' Waknitz
on Mar 26, 2014
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Very invasive in Florida!
Mel314500
on Mar 26, 2014
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Live in zone 8. Not invasive here. It will multiply but you could move some plants else where or just pull them up. Mine spread a little every year which I liked because then I could start a bed somewhere else or share with friends.
Betty Myers
on Mar 26, 2014
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I am in Kansas, it has not been invasive here. This will be my 4th year of having them. They are not supposed to even come back here but they have so far. You can break off the stems and start them in water. I do this every fall to make sure I have a plant for the next spring just in case mine don't return. I love them. You get a fresh batch of those beautiful flowers every day. They are one of my favorites.
Onie Klugh
on Mar 27, 2014
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Would it be too arid to grow these in the valley in AZ? My hummingbirds would love them too. I am presently watching two babies in the nest outside.
Elaine Simmons
on Mar 27, 2014
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Thanks Meredith, now to find it around here. I have other zone 5 plants that do well with cover in the winter.
Kim 'Kiewatt' Waknitz
on Mar 27, 2014
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I think I'll try that with a start off mine Maybe on south side of my house.
Meredith Black
on Mar 28, 2014
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Ruellia sp. Can be very invasive, loves moisture and will spread if it gets enough, even here in hot dry Tucson. Have seen it take over an entire bed. Just keep it cut back and under control and enjoy!
Susie
on Apr 11, 2014
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In Florida they can take over a bed but they are beautiful when grouped and controlled. My neighbors loved the look so I offered them all they could dig up. I showed them the area I wanted them removed from and now everything is perfect. They require no care and look nice all year long.
Sherrie S
on Apr 20, 2014
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Ruella/Mexican Petunia. I got a start from my mom before she died more than 30 years ago and have dragged plants from southeast Texas, to all over Florida (Ft Myers to Jax) and back to several places in Texas! That was way before I heard they were supposed to be invasive. Planted them at my previous house nearly 20 years ago and all they did was fill out the front flower bed where I planted them. Rented out the house last year and the people completely cleaned out the once side. I nearly croaked but knew as long as some kept coming back, I'd have a start at my 'new' house. Just got to get off my rear and dig some up!
Lois Franklin
on May 09, 2015
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It is taking over my front yard flower beds. I am constantly trying to get it tamed.
Elizabeth
on May 09, 2015
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